Angular hole fastening device



June 14, 1960 E. scHLuETER 2,940,558

ANGULAR HOLE FASTENING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 EEA- Afro/wen June 14, 1960 E. SCHLUETER 2,940,558

ANGULAR HOLE FASTENING DEVICE Filed March 2, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 .PTI-'5-1 4A. 4'7

/ez O E: -l3B INVENTOR. ERNEST SCHLUTEH BWL/@45% ATTORNEY.

United States Patent lANGULAR HoLE FAs'mNING DEVICE Ernest Sehlueter, Rfid). 4, Troy, NH. .Filter/rer; 2, 1956, ser. No. 569,014 11 claims. (C1. rse-a5) This invention :relates lto turnablefasteners and fastening devices, which may be used to fasten plates and the like together or which may be secured to a single platelike'body.

One object of the invention is to provide a simple fastener which requires no `threadsfand can `be secured to a plate-like body accessible from only one face.

vAnother object is to provide `such a fastener that may be made fast in a blind hole by partial rotation.

Still another object is to provide such Va lfastener' that may be removed, if desired.

Yet another object Yis to provide such a fastener that may be securely locked in position.

And still another object is to provide a fastener which Vmay be made as only one integral part and which may be molded or easily machined the required size and shape.

These and other objects which will be particularly apparent from the description are attained as shown in connection' with a fastener having at one end portion a stud ample, several of -many .possible embodiments of theV invention,

Figs. l and 1A are diametric sectional and bottom views of one form of the fastener in unlocked position;

Figs. 1B and 1C show the fastener of Figs. l and 1A in locked position;

Figs. 2 and 2A arel diametric sectional and bottom views of another form of the fastener in unlocked position;

Figs. 2B and 2C show the-fastener ofrFigs. 2 and 2A in locked position;

Figs. 3 and 3A are a sectional view and plan respec- Vtively of an expansion member; Y

Fig. 3B shows a modification of the member of Figs. 3 and 3A; Y

Fig. 4 is a perspective of the fastener of Figs. 2-2C;

Figs. 5 and Y5A are front and bottom elevations of another form of the fastener;

Figs. 6 and 6A are front and bottom elevations of yet another form of the fastener;

Fig. 7 is a fragmental plan of a plate provided with a modified keeper hole for receiving ythe fastener;

Figs. 8 and 8A are diametric sectional and bottom'views of another form of 'fastener shown in unlocked position;

Figs. 8B and 8C are corresponding views of'the fastener in Figs. 8 and 8A shown in locked position.

Figs. 9 and 9A are a partially diametrie'sectional view and bottom respectively Vshowing pin means 'forlo'cking vthe fastener against rotation;

'2,940,558 Patented VJ une v14, 1960 ICC Figs. 10 and 10A show a spring-biased pinfor locking the fastener against rotation;

Fig. ll showsdetails for-anchoringV spring of Fig. `10;

Figs. 12 and 12A show a fastener having a triangular faced stud head;

Figs. 13 and 13A are sectional and bottom views showing the fastener with another form of expansionmember;

Fig. 13B shows a -blank for forming the expansion member of Figs. 13 and V13A; and

Figs. 14 and 14A are diametrie sectional and bottom views of yet another form of Athe invention.

The invention as shown in'Eig's. Vl-lCisvsllownin combination with upper and lower plates 10 /and 1'1` `in faceto-face contact havingsubstant-ially square holes .'12 and 14 of approximately the same sizeftheflattery-being termed a keeper hole. A fastener 1S holds .theplates together andlincludes an upwardly extendingstem ilprovided with Van outstanding radial llange 18 extending over lthe top face 19 ofthe upper plate and a downwardly projecting stud 20 or stud portion passing through said holes.

The stud has an approximately cylindrical rounded portion 21 at the zone within the holes, the diameter ofthe Vrounded portion being normally slightly greater than the minimum diameter of the square keeper hole 14. The hole 12 may be of almost any sizeand `shape provided the flange can substantially cover it and the stud pass through it. The outer end of the stud is ,provided with four equally spaced radially .projecting `lugs 22 suf- `ficently long to extend over the side -marginal portions of the lowerplate. if the material of fastener or Vplates is sufficiently resilient the cavityf24 may he omitted 'as may the groove and ring. Y

Y Inuse, the stud portion is .passed throughjthe holes, the fastener being in such position "that `the llug's vpass ,through the hole corners 29 Iof the keeper hole as n Fig. 1A. Force is applied so that the lugs 22 in a common plane clear the lower plate 11. The fastener is then frorrated about 45 .to 'locking position 'as shown inFigs. 1B and 1C.

One way 'of forming vthe stud as shown, which way will aid in the description, is to 'initially form the stud with substantially square Ycross 'section and size so 'as to just easily pass through the hole 14"i'n the "lower plate. The portions under each corner end portion of the stud are cut out along cylindrical surfaces31, leaving the corner ends as the lugsr22, having flat inner faces 'to engage at on the face of plate 1'1. The diameter ofthe stud at the surfaces 31 is slightly greater -than 'the lengths of the sides of the hole 14 and greater lthan at zones'between the surfaces 31, so as to produce a tight fit when the fastener is in locked position. The mid 'portions of -the marginal portion about the hole 14 -inayibe provided with detent notches 32 to receive the maximum diameter 'portions of the stud lto hold the 'fastener against rotation.

The fastener and plates may either or bothfbe of suitable material such as metal orlpl'astic, and the upper plate may be Yomitted if the function of the fastener `is only to fasten itself as a-knob or the like to-a plate, as shown in Figs. 8 and 13 for instance. y

The fastener is generally similar tothe fastener 1S except that its stud portion is not provided with va cylindrical portion similar to21 of fastener 15. Instead, the square end M7 (Fig. 4) o rfthestudis conically undercut as at 121 to 'form camming surfaces'which tend `to aluminum, .no slots are needed.

4mounted.

Y Fig.; 6

vdrawthe fastener 115'into square keeper hole as the stud Y Y is rotated. Y Y Y Y The square corner porti, V122 of the stud 120: not

Y only may function -in theame manner as the lugs 22 -of fastener 1S but may coact with'a grommet 30 which may be inserted in the square'keeper hole 14 of plate `11 (Fig/s. 242C) or inthe hole of'a pair ofV plates as inFi'g.V 1.

By use of agrommet, the hole and stud sizes need not be as accurately proportioned as when no grommt is [The grommet30 of Figs. 3 and 3A is anv expansive -sleeveof square cross section having one or more out standing flange members 131 at its outer end engaging i' expansion ofthe grommet when the studr120 isrinserte'd Vand rotated. Preferably the inner Yend of the grommet ".isproyidedwith inwardly sloped anges 34 which engage `.thev stud 120Y`as `the latter isYinserted so as to partially n Y VZO expandY the innerend of the g'rommet'before-any 'rotation is eft'ected.` This'willrbe. facilitated, if metal is used, Yby

Vhaving sltsinfthe'sleeve corner-edges 35 Yextending from the ang'es 34toward theV flanges 131. s If the grommet is of`non-.b'rittle plastic or softfmetalsheetrsuch as When the fastener is rotated 45 to .the locked position Y as in Figs.V 2B and 2C,'the stud corners 122 engage in 'detent pockets 36 in the grommet sides 38 or in detent holes 39 (Fig. 3B) to prevent unintentional rotation to .unlocked position.

It can be seen that Vthe .expansion of the inner end Vof the grommet partially clinchesV the sides Y38 against the lower face V28 of the plate 11, Of course if the stud 120 and platehole14 are properlypropo'rtioned the grom- Y Vmet may be omitted.

The stem 116 of the fastener 115 may be provided with a .cavity 40 in which some element, say a rod, may be v the top face ofYplate- 11 (Fig. 2). "I'hegrommet or A Ysleeveis open atone corner-edgejas at 132to permit 1750, but is biased to be urged into the hole corner by a Y spring 51fwithin the bore. One end of the spring is secured to the pin as at 52 while kthe otheris secured to the flange or cap 218 in a known manner as through a swaged pin hole 54 closed by` punch prick 53.

ln Fig. the hole 112 inthe upper plate 10 is shown larger than the hole 14 andrthis is possible and permissible in all forms of the invention provided the flange cover the hole.` Y

In operation of the invention according to Fig.4l0 as the stud 29 enters the hole 14 themarginal portion 55v thereofcause's the pin 149 to be pushed further into the bore 570 against the compression spring 51. n The fastener is then rotated untitthe pin nds a corner such as 29 in the keeper hole 14 andv the spring fthen injects the pin Y into the corner.

V'Ihe nature Yof .the stem may vary'considerably', so i* 'Y that the stem with the ange 18Y becomes a cap52'18 (Fig. 5))'of the fastener 115 having the same type :of

stud V120v as shown iu Fig. 4 except forits being provided with medialradial slots 41 to increase yieldabilityof the i t Y stud during rotation. YThe slots preferablyimeet the' edges of the square'stud end 117 most remote-....from'thedi agonals. Y Yieldability to the' stud i120 may beV improved 'bythe provision 'ofthe cavity 24 of Figi 1V as shown in 'Y To preventthestudeither or 120 fromlbein'g turned more than r457 the keeper hole 114 (Fig.y 7Y)V in the inner (or lower) plate 11 may havedetent notches 3.2 (shown exaggerated asin Fig. l) but theholeis not square as '.is that of-Fig. 1 but it'Ydoes have. .fo.ur'right angularl Y* corners 42 and four similar side boundaries`44 each side Y Vboundary44 having two parallel edge lines 475, Y46 at.

different distances from the geometric Ycenter of the hole.

. in' passingV around the .perimeterof V.theV hole, the edge 'lines are alternatelyY nearer and farther from the hole center to enable an easier turning ofthe stud therein. in

Yone direction` rather than the other. Y

YThe cavity 24 of thestud of Fig. l may 'extendVY well vupinto the stem -16'as shown in Figs. 8.-'8C and the stud 270 may be provided with 99Aso"as Vto project into a corner 29V ofthe `hole 14.

of the invention, similarY to. that shown While YI have shown. the various studs to have square ends with partially cylindrical andk conicalshanks the stud 220 of'Fig'sLlvZvand 12A'has a'triangular-end 217 and sharper (760) corners undercut in frusto-conical fashion to provide car'n'iningY surfaces 221. VThe keeper hole is equilateral. Slots 2.41 radial to thestud axis improve theresilience of the'stud in a manner described of other forms of the invention. Y

In yet another form of the invention as shown in Figs. 13-13B,V somewhat similar tothat shown .in Fig. 2 the fastener 315 normally carries an expansion or clinching member 330 of bendable material somewhat similar to the grommet 30. The Yclinching member is formed from a blank of Swiss cross shapehavinga central hole 61. The .cross arms 62 areall bent in the same direction .to form a cubical. shape similar to the grommet but preferablyYWithout the inturned -anges 34 of the latter. .The stud 320 of the fastener passes throughV the central hole 61 and is free to rotate therein. The stud portion 321 within the hole -61 may be cylindricaLY' The clincher member is retained on the portion 321 by a square end- 3157 so that vthellatter may flare the en d parts 334Yofthe side;'members338, when thelendfheadis rotated 45 to the position asl shown. ,If vthe clinchingmember beof metal f it `isllesirable that. the yportion 321. and Yhead v.317' e Yalso beef metal.V Y. g Y t VVIn use 4thejclinching member330is normallyrcarried onthe fastenerYwithfthe .sides 338 parallel'gto the. stud axisA andsurroundinggthehead 317. 'I'he member 330 isthen inserted in thes'quare hole 14.7and .fastener pushed 'inthe stud portion 321 being'suciently; long jfor/the headv to.; clear the plate 11... The-stud isthenV rotated to locking.position clinching and aring the ,sides to prevent withdrawal of thermember 330 and the stud held by it. Detent holes 39 may be provided in the varms 62, Y

which arefthe sides 338, to prevent rotation ofthe head. lThe expansion member need not have as `many as four Y Y sides. Figs., 14 and 14A show an expansion memberw430 ysimilarlto that shown in Fig. 13 exceptthat it is Yprovided with only two.sides 438, and is for use in a rectangular Ykeeper hole 414. The sides 438 are flared by rotation of The pin may AYberinser'ted'to givei'aforced lit in abore 50 70 4 e cap 218 afterrthelfastenerris in locked Y' VY 'a head 411er sbmewht 'the shape if a keg handle. The Ysides 438may. be provided with inturned projections 434 to reduce; the Width oftheihead and the Ytorque required toturn the fastener. Inj/a similar manner. the torque required maybe reduced vin Ythe forms shown in Figs. 13 andYrZ.'Y wir if Y.

Therrfastenersjinay ^be put to almost innumerable uses such as knobs on -Whichto mount `refrigerator shelves, as

4.adjustable bookshelf supports, rod supports,V hearings v.(especially when nylon plastic is used for'the stud mate- Vvrial and the fastenerhas av bore cavity).

The forms asshown inV 5 Vand 6V having a low .at

cap are desirable to cover an unused hole'. lThe fastener in general may -be used as cowl yfasteners and the like.

If the stud is of suiliciently resilient material, such as nylon plastic, and the keeperis even hard as metal the grooves and ring may be omitted. Other plastics having similar physical properties may be used.

ln Fig. the detent member 149 may be cast integral with the ange 21S and project only slightly below the same and into the hole 112. The resilience of the ange and member 149 and even that of the plate 10 enables the member to ride over the plate when the fastener is inserted and rotated when the member reaches the hole corner it enters the hole in the same manner, but to a lesser extent, as shown in Fig. 10.

The invention claimed is:

l. In combination, a plate having a hole therein; the main boundaries of which are a given number of straight edges of equal length; a fastener secured to the plate and including an outstanding radial ange extending over the top face of the plate and a downwardly projecting stud portion passing through said hole, the stud having a rounded portion at the zone within the hole, the outer end of .the stud being provided with an end with said given number of equally spaced radially projecting corner portions sufficiently long to extend over the side marginal portions of the hole and suiiiciently short to pass through the corner zones of the hole, and a detent member carried on the fastener and projecting into a corner of the hole to deter rotation of the fastener.

2. In combination, a plate having a square hole therein; a fastener secured to the plate and including an upwardly extending stem provided with an outstanding radial flange extending over the top face of the plate and a down wardly projecting stud portion passing through said hole, the stud having a rounded portion at the zone within the hole, a grommet having a ange extending over the top face of the plate and four sides passing through the hole; the other end of the stud being provided. with a square ilat end with four equally spaced radially projecting corner portions holding said sides over the areas of the side marginal portions of the hole; the rounded portion having four truste-conical surfaces between the flange and the respective said corner portions.

3. ln combination, a plate having a square hole therein; a fastener secured to the plate and including an outstanding radial ange extending over the top face of the plate and a downwardly projecting stud portion passing through said hole, the stud having a rounded portion at the zone within the hole, a generally cubical grommet member having a llange extending over the top face of the plate and four sides passing through the hole; the grommet member being separable at a vertical edge to permit expansion, the outer end of the stud being provided with a square ilat end with four equally spaced radially projecting corner portions holding said sides over the areas of the side marginal portions of the hole; the rounded portion having four frusto-conical surfaces between the ange and the respective said corner portions.

4. In combination, upper and lower plates in faceto-face contact having holes of approximately the same size and bounded by straight lines all of the same length; a fastener holding the plates together and including an upwardly extending stem provided with an outstanding radial ange extending over the top face of the upper plate and a downwardly projecting stud portion passing through said holes, the stud having a rounded portion at the zone within the holes, the outer end of the stud being provided with a at end having equally spaced radially projecting corner portions suiiiciently long to extend over the side marginal portions of the hole and suiciently short to pass through the corner zones of the holes, the rounded portion having equally spaced partial truste-conical surfaces between the ange and the respective said corner portions.

6 p 5. In combination a plate having .a hole therein; the hole being dened 'by a given number of substantially straight edges, a fastener .secured to the plate and including an upwardly extending (stem provided with an outstanding radial `iange 'extending over the to'p' lface of the plate and a downwardly 'projecting s'tu'd portion passing through sidhole', 'the stud having a' rounded portion at the zone within'theliole, and a gronm'ethaving aange extending over 'the top `facev of the plate and said given number of sides passing through .the holeg-the outer end of the stud being provided with a square at end with said given number of equally spaced radially projecting corner portions holding said sides over the areas of the side marginal portions of the hole.

6. -In combination, a plate having a square hole therein; a fastener secured to the plate and including an upwardly extending stem provided with an outstanding radial iiange extending over the top face of the plate and a downwardly projecting stud portion passing through said hole, the stud having a rounded portion at the zone within the hole, the outer end of the stud being provided with a square iiat end with four equally spaced radially projecting corner portions sul'liciently long to extend over the side marginal portions of the hole and suiiiciently short to pass through the corner zones of the hole, the rounded portion having a cross section having four spaced arcs as the extreme outer boundary lines of the section and between the ange and the respective said corner portions.

7. A fastener for use in combination with upper and lower plates in face-to-face contact having substantially square holes of approximately the same size; the fastener being for holding the plates together and comprising an upwardly extending stem provided with an outstanding radial flange for extending over the top face of the upper plate and a downwardly projecting stud portion for passing through said holes, the stud having an approximately cylindrical rounded portion at the zone within the holes, the maximum diameter of the rounded portion being normally slightly greater than the minimum diameter of the square holes, the outer end of the stud being provided with four equally spaced radially projecting lugs sufriciently long to extend over the side marginal portions of the hole and sumciently short to pass through the corner zones of the holes, the stud portion being provided with a hollow cavity to increase resiliency of the stud p'ortion, .the flange being provided with circular groove opening toward the plates when the latter are engaged by the fastener, and a resilient ring in the groove.

8. In combination, a plate having a hole therein; a fastener secured to the plate and including an upwardly extending stem provided with an outstanding radial flange extending over the top face of the plate and a downwardly projecting stud portion passing through said hole, the stud portion having a rounded portion at the zone within the hole, and having a radially projectingportion extending past a margin of the hole and below said plate; and a detent on the fastener projecting into the hole and alongside the stud portion to deter rotation of the stud portion within the hole.

9. In combination, a plate having a hole therein, the substantial boundaries of the hole being a given number of substantially straight lines of equal length, all boundaries meeting at corners having substantially the same angular size; a fastener secured to the plate and including an outstanding iiange extending over the top face of the plate and a downwardly projecting stud pass ing through said hole; the stud having a portion of circular cross section at the zone within the hole, the outer end of the stud being provided with said given number of equally spaced like radially projecting corner portions for engaging matter adjacent said boundaries and suliciently short to pass through the corner zones of the hole in unlocked position, the stud having frusto-conical 11. In ambmaon as' claimed in 131m 9,'fthe Stud being provided with an openingvextending yfrom' the outer end thereof ina dir ection'para11el with the longitudinal v axis of fthe stud to increase the resiliency of the stud.

VReferences Citednin thele ofy thier` natent.

UNITED STATES PATENTS Becker Sept. 12, 1939 Tirmverman V Qunev 10;k 1941 FOREIGNPATENTS Y f Great Britain ,V V Jan. 19, 1939 

